Adjunct Low Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation With Physiotherapy Enhance Upper Extremity Function Restoration

September 25, 2019 updated by: HLUKKaYan, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong

The Effectiveness of Combination of Low Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation With Structured Physiotherapy Training Program on Restoring Upper Extremity Function for Patients After Stroke

Stroke is the leading cause of function disability or impairment. Non-promising functional return from upper limb rehabilitation has been reported. With the technology advances, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which is a form of non-invasive direct brain stimulation, may act as an attenuator in regulating or modulating the cortical excitability in order to facilitate cortical re-organization and enhance behavioral performance. Various therapeutic exercise protocols have been investigated regarding their efficacy in promoting motor recovery of the affected upper limb for patients after stroke and the preliminary results were supportive. However, limited numbers of randomized control clinical trials have been published in investigating the "priming" or "additive" value of low frequency repetitive TMS (rTMS) with combination of structural motor training programs.

Thus the objective of this study is: to determine the effectiveness of the combination of low frequency rTMS on contra-lesional M1 and a structured upper limb motor training program on restoring upper limb function among patients with stroke in sub-acute stage. It is hypothesized that the rTMS, when combined with a structured motor training program, confers additional therapeutic effects on upper limb motor function in subacute stroke patients, when compared with the motor training program alone.

The objectives of this study is to determine the effectiveness of the combination of low frequent rTMS on contra-lesional M1 and a structured upper limb motor training program in restoring upper limb function among patients with subacute stroke.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

The proposed study will be a randomized double-blinded controlled trial. 26 stroke patients with upper limb impairment who are receiving the outpatient physiotherapy service at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and fulfill the eligibility criteria will be recruited and randomized into two interventional groups: (1) rTMS + exercise (rTMS-Ex) group and (2) Placebo rTMS +exercise (Placebo-Ex) group. Both rTMS-Ex and placebo-Ex group will receive 10 consecutive treatment sessions (5 sessions per week), which consists of real rTMS stimulation (rTMS-ex group) or placebo rTMS (placebo-Ex group), followed by 30-minute structured upper limb strengthening and task-specific motor training program. After 2 weeks of brain stimulation and motor training, both groups will continue with the same structured motor training program for another 10 weeks (2 sessions/ week).

  1. rTMS-Ex Group 10 consecutive sessions (5 days per week for 2 weeks) of 1 Hz low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation over contra-lesional M1 region for 1200 pulse (20 minutes) at 90% motor threshold and immediately followed by 75 minutes structured physiotherapy upper limb training.

    After the 10 sessions of brain stimulation, the 30-minute structured physiotherapy upper limb training program will continue for another 12 weeks (2 sessions per week)

  2. Placebo-Ex Group 10 consecutive sessions (5 sessions per week for 2 weeks) of placebo stimulation over contra-lesional M1 region and immediately followed by 30 minutes of structured physiotherapy upper limb training.

Then, the structured physiotherapy upper limb training will continue for another 12 weeks (2 sessions per week).

Evaluation on impairment level, motor performance, physiological measurements and self -perceived disability will be performed at 4 time points: before treatment (T0), immediately after treatment (T1), one-month follow-up (T2) and three-month follow-up (T3). 2-way repeated measures ANOVA will be used to determine whether the rTMS-ex group leads to better outcomes than the placebo-ex group.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
24

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • China
      • Hong Kong, China
        • Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

No older than 85 years (Child, Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. First-ever stroke
  2. Age >60
  3. muscle strength > grade 2 and < grade 5 based on manual muscle testing of hand / fingers of the affected upper limb
  4. > 1 month and < 6 months after the onset of stroke

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Substantial cognitive impairment with Mini Mental State Test >24
  2. Diagnosis of mental illness
  3. Pathological conditions referred to as contra-indications for rTMS in guideline suggested by Wassermann (eg. Cardiac pacemaker, intracranial implants, implanted medication pumps, epilepsy)
  4. Unstable cardio-pulmonary conditions -

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: (1) rTMS- PT Ex Group

1 Hz low frequency rTMS over contra-lesional M1 region for 1200 pulse (20 minutes) at 90% resting motor threshold (rMT) will conduct for 10 consecutive sessions (5 days per week for 2 weeks) and immediately followed by 30- minutes structured physiotherapy upper limb training.

After the 10 sessions of brain stimulation, the 30-minute structured physiotherapy upper limb training program will continue for another 12 weeks (2 sessions per week)
Device: Low frequency rTMS
1 Hz low frequency rTMS over contra-lesional M1 region for 1200 pulse at 90% resting motor threshold for 10 sessions.Patients in the rTMS-ex group will receive the experimental rTMS A Magstim Rapid Stimulator (Magstim Company, Whitland, UK) equipped with an air-cooled figure-of-eight coil (each loop 70 mm in diameter) and neuro-navigation system will be used to deliver the intervention.
Behavioral: structured physiotherapy upper limb training
Structural Physiotherapy upper limb training for 30-minutes
Placebo Comparator: (2) Placebo- PT Ex Group

placebo stimulation over contra-lesional M1 region will be conducted for 10 consecutive sessions (5 sessions per week for 2 weeks) of and immediately followed by 30- minutes of structured physiotherapy upper limb training.

Then, the structured physiotherapy upper limb training will continue for another 12 weeks (2 sessions per week).
Device: Low frequency rTMS
1 Hz low frequency rTMS over contra-lesional M1 region for 1200 pulse at 90% resting motor threshold for 10 sessions.Patients in the rTMS-ex group will receive the experimental rTMS A Magstim Rapid Stimulator (Magstim Company, Whitland, UK) equipped with an air-cooled figure-of-eight coil (each loop 70 mm in diameter) and neuro-navigation system will be used to deliver the intervention.
Behavioral: structured physiotherapy upper limb training
Structural Physiotherapy upper limb training for 30-minutes

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change of Cortical Excitability From Baseline to at 4th Weeksand 12th Weeks Training in Motor Evoked Potential at 120% Resting MotorThreshold at Affected Hand
Time Frame: Baseline and at 4th weeks and at 12th weeks
Electromyographic (EMG) activity in first doral interossei measured at 120% resting motor threshold. The motor evoked potential amplitude will be measured peak to peak in millivolt(mV). Higher value mean better control
Baseline and at 4th weeks and at 12th weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change of Upper Limb Impairment From Baseline to at 4th Weeks & 12 th Weeks Training in Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FM) Scale
Time Frame: Baseline and at 4th weeks and at 12th weeks

Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FM) scale is a stroke-specific, performance-based impairment index, the scale range from 0 to 66.

25 test items included measurement of movement, coordination, and reflex action of the different parts of the paretic upper extremity. The score could range from 0 to 66. Better motor function was reflected by a higher FMA score
Baseline and at 4th weeks and at 12th weeks
Change of Grip Strength From Baseline to at 4th Weeks and at 12th Weeks Training in Force (Kilogram )
Time Frame: Baseline and at 4th weeks and at 12th weeks
Isometric hand grip strength will be measured using the hand-held dynamometer in kilogram (kg). Higher value reflect better hand grip strength
Baseline and at 4th weeks and at 12th weeks
Change of Upper Limb Function From Baseline to at 4th Weeks Training in Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) Scale
Time Frame: Baseline and at 4th weeks and at 12th weeks
The 19-item Action Research Arm Test has four subscales that assess various aspects of upper limb function (i.e., pinch, grip, grasp, and gross motor). Each item was rated on a 4-point scale from 0 to 3. Scale from 0 to 57.A higher score was indicative of better upper limb function.
Baseline and at 4th weeks and at 12th weeks
Change of Reaction Time From Baseline to at 4th Weeks and at 12th Weeks Training in Time Measurement (Seconds)
Time Frame: Baseline and at 4th weeks and at 12th weeks
A simple reaction time will be recorded through a computer system. Time for the patient to reaction to the signal will be measured in seconds (sec). Shorter period of time reflect better reaction time.Lower score means better result
Baseline and at 4th weeks and at 12th weeks
Change of Health Status Measurement From Baseline to at 4th Weeks and at 12th Weeks in Stroke Impact Scale
Time Frame: Baseline and at 4th & 12 th weeks
The 59-item Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) is a stroke-specific, self-report, health status measure. Total range from 0 to 100. Higher score reflect better result.
Baseline and at 4th & 12 th weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Ka yan LUK, Senior Physiotherapist

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
December 1, 2015

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
May 1, 2017

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
May 1, 2017

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
May 31, 2015

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
July 2, 2015

First Posted (Estimate)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
July 3, 2015

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
September 26, 2019

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 25, 2019

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
June 1, 2019

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • PT-2015-QEHHK

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

No

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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